Progress Report

It has been my honor to serve as Commissioner of Accounts & Finance / Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Zion for the past four years. I thought it would be an opportune time to highlight some of the accomplishments achieved during this time.

Putting the city on a sound financial basis with balanced budgets. 

Four years ago, we were dealing with a structural deficit that put our ability to provide services at risk. With diligent fiscal discipline across all departments, and leveraging of grant funds wherever possible we were able to turn this around and now have had balanced budgets year over year.    

Investments in Infrastructure.

Paving streets and replacing water-mains. Using TIF district funds we were able to put in street and water improvements in the South Sheridan Road area.  Leveraging federal funds and community development block grants we were able to increase street paving and sidewalk improvements.  In the next year, phase one of the 20th street storm water project will get underway, this will upgrade the size of the storm drain pipes in the area of 20th street going East from the McCrory bike path and connecting out to Kellogg Creek.  This is an area that has suffered from storm water overflow getting into their garages and basements for years, and they will benefit greatly from these improvements. This will be funded by a forgivable IEPA loan that will cover the projected 5 million dollar cost.

Growing our local economy.

Bringing in new businesses like Real Wheels Corporation who relocated their headquarters from Gurnee to Zion, redeveloping a building that had been sitting empty for years. 

Real Wheels Grand Opening

 Also, there are two major developments slated for Trumpet Corporate Park; Imperien  A 65 million dollar high-tech warehouse complex, and Plano Pharmaceutical  which is projected to be up to a 100 million dollar investment when completed through all phases in the next few years.  Also, after five years of effort by our city staff; Starbucks opened in Zion, and that has opened the door for other businesses that want to be adjacent to a recognized national brand, so look for more development at the Green Bay Rd / Rt 173 location in the future.  Our economic development efforts don't stop there, some interesting proposals are in the works and I look forward to announcing those in the near future.

Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Zion

Nuclear Storage Compensation and Tax Relief.  

I have been a strong advocate for Zion receiving monetary compensation for hosting a nuclear storage site under the terms set out in the 1982 Nuclear Waste Act.  With the goal of using those funds to help reduce the tax burden placed on property owners when the Zion Nuclear Power station ceased operation.

Efforts at the Federal level to obtain those funds as directed in the Act have not been successful, yet. Our intent is to continue to pursue those funds which are due to Zion under the clear language of the Act.

Our efforts at the State level have been very successful, our City Administrator, David Knabel with the support of the Mayor, myself and the Council, lead the effort to attain state funds for our nuclear storage by working with our state representatives to have grant funds for nuclear communities, specifically Zion included in the CEJA Clean Energy Jobs Act legislation.  Holding to our commitment to use these funds for tax relief, we have lowered the city tax levy by 1 million dollars.  

In the most recent legislative session, working with State Representative Joyce Mason, the funding formula was amended to ensure that starting next year 75% of those funds must be used to lower property taxes for our residents. That is 15 million a year for the next 22 years, of which about 11 million a year will be taken off our tax bills.  

Coming Soon.

A replacement building for Fire Station #2 will soon start construction on 173, just west of Lewis Ave, and planning will begin for long needed replacements for Public Works and Police facilities in the next several years.

Summary.

These are just a few highlights of what has been done  and what we are doing, and that is not to say everything is perfect. We still have day to day operations to carry out, and some big challenges like mandated pension payments that will have to be dealt with in the near future.  As always, if you have a question about a City issue, please feel free to contact me in the comments, or at christopherf@zion.il.us